3M to pay $7B to settle ‘forever chemicals’ claims

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As many as 120,000 plaintiffs allege they suffered health effects from exposure to PFAS. Under the agreement, 3M will pay $7.35 billion over nine years to settle the claims.

Chemical manufacturer 3M says it will pay more than $7 billion to settle thousands of claims from people who say they were sickened by firefighting foam containing so-called “forever chemicals.”

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of manufactured chemicals used in products to resist heat, stains, oil and water. They're extremely durable and known to persist in the environment. Some are linked to health effects including cancer, liver and thyroid problems and low birth weight.

Maplewood-based 3M manufactured firefighting foam containing PFAS, which was used to extinguish fires and for training at airports and military bases across the U.S. The chemicals contaminated groundwater used for drinking.

Thousands o...